40%, 40%, 20%

"On the magnetic strip of this cassette tape lives the greatest song ever written: "The Night Begins to Shine". Influenced by the sounds of the '80s, it was 40% written by Carl Burnett, 40% by Franklin Enea, and a sweet, sweet 20% by William J. Regan. When I hear this song, anything is possible!"
— Cyborg.

Contents

Logline

Cyborg's real strength comes not from his robot parts, but from his favorite song.[1]

Synopsis

Cyborg begins lip-syncing to "Night Begins to Shine" and makes his way to the living room, where Robin, Ann, Raven and Beast Boy attempt to get his attention. After Robin shouts again, Cyborg pauses the song and Starfire says they have to talk about the song. While Cyborg claims the song gets him pumped up, Raven is annoyed that he plays it every day multiple times. Cyborg claims "Night Begins to Shine" is the greatest song in the world and reveals how it was written and that it motivates him. Starfire asks if musical arrangement can motivate someone and Cyborg claims it can transform before resuming the track and dancing out of the living room.

Later, Ann, Raven, Robin, Starfire and Beast Boy are sitting around the kitchen table bored when Cyborg enters, playing "Night Begins to Shine". He notices them and they tell him that they are bored. He tells them to listen to "Night Begins to Shine", but Robin claims the song doesn't affect them as they've heard it multiple times. Cyborg tells him to listen with his heart and Raven starts dancing despite protesting that it won't work. Beast Boy begins lip-syncing to the lyrics but notes that he doesn't know the words. The Titans' appearance and setting changes which Starfire notes, but Cyborg says music is its own reality. After the Titans ride on a motorcycle and are joined by an eagle and mechanical horse, Robin pauses the song so that they can talk about it.

The Titans note that Cyborg has become reliant on the song and Robin tells him he can't hear the song any more. Cyborg tries to play snippets of the song, but Robin stops him. Starfire explains they are worried he won't be able to function without the song. Cyborg protests, but is unable to open a pickle jar. Robin asks Cyborg to imagine what would happen if the whole team got captured and he couldn't rescue them because he needed the song. However, the toaster begins to blare and Robin informs them that the Brain is attacking Jump City. He orders the Titans to go, but tells Cyborg and Ann that they're suspended until they can both open the jar without the song.

After a few days, Ann and Cyborg are unable to open the jar and the Titan Computer reports that the Brain has captured the Titans. He, notes however, that Robin was right and he doesn't have the willpower to rescue them without the song. A hawk outside Titans Tower, begins singing to the tune of "Night Begins to Shine" and Cyborg notes that birds sings all the time and get stuff done. He realizes that music is a crutch and plays the song, opening the pickle jar and disembarking to rescue the Titans.

In the music reality, Ann and Cyborg travel to the Brain's lair where he manages to defeat the Brain's defenses. When they enters the lair, however, Monsieur Mallah strikes him from behind, knocking out the cassette which the Brain crushes. Out of the music reality, the Brain insults Cyborg as he's nothing without his music. Robin attempts to inspire Cyborg, but Cyborg says he can't as his song is gone forever. The Titans, however, begin singing "Night Begins to Shine" which begins to motivate Cyborg and Ann. Monsieur Mallah slaps him several times, but Cyborg manages to defeat him. He enters the music reality once more and transforms into Cyborgimus Prime, defeating the Brain and releasing the Titans from the cage. He tells them to "roll out" and the Titans follow Cyborgimus Prime in the music reality while "Night Begins to Shine" plays.

Continuity

References

Raven asks if she can transform into Optimus Prime when Cyborg claims that music can transform people, but he says she can be Bumblebee. Both are characters from the Transformers franchise. Cyborg later transforms into "Cyborgimus Prime" which is a parody of Optimus Prime and says two of his famous quotes: "One shall stand, one shall fall," and "Roll out!"

Ann strongly Resembles Utena Tenjou from Revolutionary Girl Utena.

Aqualad is listed to have made a remix of "Night Begins to Shine".

Five variants of the Joker appear on a bowl of Bat-O's.

The DC Animated Universe Joker.

Heath Ledger's Joker from the 2012 film The Dark Knight.

The New 52 Joker who had his face cut off and held on with hooks during the "Death of the Family" crossover arc.